Chapter 19 Eden
Eden
Nobody turned on the lights inside Benson’s apartment, although everyone there knew where the switches were by now.
The man who lived there went straight into his kitchen and searched for something to drink.
Eden kicked off her shoes in the entryway, lining them up next to Benson’s other shoes while pulling out the pair of dollar-store house slippers she had purchased to keep for her visits.
That way, if we blow up, I don’t have anything of value here.
That also went for the sundries in his bathroom.
She kept a toothbrush, her favorite toothpaste, and some backup makeup that wasn’t horribly expensive to replace.
A woman never knew when she’d have to leave in a hurry – or when she wouldn’t be invited back.
“You okay?” Liam took off his shoes once he saw Eden doing it first. “I’m sorry things went this way.”
“You are?”
They both stood in the entryway, voices low while Benson grabbed three shot glasses for whatever he wanted to pour. “I mean, I feel like that’s what I should say,” Liam responded. “Ben can be so temperamental when he’s put on the spot.”
“Is he on the spot?”
Liam cocked his head, as if he wasn’t sure if she played a game. I don’t. Eden had the same attitude as in the restaurant. I’m along for the ride. Hopefully, on either end of them before the night was over, and all of this awkwardness had been sorted.
“I know him well,” Liam said. “Granted, it’s been five years since we’ve regularly seen each other. Doesn’t seem like he’s changed much.”
“I know the recent him quite well.” Eden patted her other boyfriend’s arm. “He’ll get over it once he gets what he wants.”
“And what’s that, love?”
She shrugged. “Me. Maybe you. Guess we’ll see.”
“What are you two yammering about?”
Eden joined Benson in the kitchen, where he presented her with a shot of tequila. She motioned to the salt in its ceramic container on his counter. He took the hint. “You.”
She removed her coat and tossed it onto the island counter. Short of Benson throwing her out that night, she wasn’t going anywhere. So, she made herself comfortable. Slippers? Check. No coat? Check. Eden accepted the shot glass when Benson had applied some salt to the rim.
“That’s how it is, huh?” Liam accepted the third shot, no salt. “No other pretense?”
“Boys.” Eden stepped between them. “Behave yourselves. There’s a lady present.”
This was normally the time for one of Liam’s quips – probably you’re no lady, love – said with the good-natured humor of a man who didn’t take things too seriously, but he was silent.
Eden imagined him staring at Benson from over her head.
So, she tossed her hair back, sure to smack Liam in the face.
It also gave Benson a great view of the keyhole in her dress.
“It’s hospitality,” Benson declared, before tossing the shot of tequila down his gullet.
“Fantastic.” Liam gasped and smacked the glass on the counter.
Eden shrugged. “Bottom’s up.”
After she burned her throat on liquor, they made their way to the living room, where the three of them awkwardly sat in silence on Benson’s couch in front of the windows.
This really isn’t how I imagined this going.
Whenever she fantasized about Benson and Liam reuniting for round two with her body, it was with no pretense for anything but having a good time.
Maybe some silly jokes. A couple of “guy humor” moments where Benson and Liam expressed they couldn’t believe this was happening, all while Eden made herself comfortable and relished being the center of their attention.
Instead, she sat between them, nobody touching.
Which was a shame, because she was ready to get on with it.
“What?” Benson asked when he heard her chuckling.
“Memories,” she said. “What happened last time I was this physically close to you two.”
“We’ve got a livewire here,” Liam drolly said. “She already knows us so well.”
“Personally, I think she’s a hot ticket.”
“Why, Benson Smith,” Eden said. “Was that a joke?”
“Maybe.”
She put a hand on his thigh. When I think of all the times we’ve cuddled on this couch now…
They were at a stage in their relationship where they were comfortable touching each other at will, and Eden treated this moment no differently.
The only reason she wasn’t worried about him refusing to reciprocate was because Liam was there, and she was sure it was weird for everyone involved.
Even though they were old pros at this.
“You two are very silly,” she said.
“Why?” Liam asked.
“Because here I am, the woman of your mutual dreams, and nobody’s making a move.”
“Well…”
“You see…”
“Besides, I know both of you so well that I even know your naughtiest, dirtiest fantasies.” She glanced at them both, ready to read them to filth.
Which she almost did when she slammed her other hand down on Liam’s thigh.
Come on, you two. Wake up. In the heart, and in the loins!
“I shouldn’t be surprised that you two have already rolled with other women.
You complement each other so well.” She glanced at Benson, who looked away.
Mr. Likes to Watch His Girlfriend Get Railed By Other Men.
She then glanced at Liam, who likewise did not want to make eye contact.
Mr. Wants to Go Last and Be Watched! What, did they think she was judging them?
Did she forget that she was a Butterfly? You have to try harder than that, boys.
“It’s been a while,” Liam said. “Besides, it never worked out like this before. We always propositioned a woman together.”
Benson grunted.
“What?” Eden asked.
“Things are never as easy as you might think they should be.”
Is he trying to sound sage? It wasn’t working. Just because Benson was in his mid-forties didn’t mean Eden knew nothing about this situation.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Eden scooched forward to the edge of the couch, aware that both of her boyfriends watched her every move.
“I have to do everything around here, don’t I?
” She wagged a finger at both, switching hands when appropriate.
“I’m a woman of the modern age. I know all about weaponized incompetence and mental loads.
So, I’ll do this one time at the start. But if we keep up this arrangement in the future, I expect you both to put in some work at getting the party started.
“What are you—”
“What do you mean—”
But Eden didn’t want to waste any more time.
The longer they sat there, the more awkward it would get.
Fuck that. Eden still felt like it was a week ago, when she and Benson hunted for a third to add to their night.
I was gonna have the time of my life. Introducing Liam was supposed to be the best part.
She would have everything – pleasure and comfort in them.
Now they wanted to play their silly games? Not on her watch.
“Well,” Liam sighed as Eden flung herself into Benson’s lap and planted a heavy kiss on his mouth. “I shoulda known you’d go for him first. It’s his place, after all.” Before she could grab his hand and slap it on her ass, he said, “I see you’ve changed the curtains, though.”
Eden continued kissing Benson while Liam amused himself. When she pulled back, Benson’s breath was ragged. His hands hovered over her waist, uncertain.
“Don’t be shy,” she whispered, before reaching down to grab his wrists and plant his palms firmly on her ass. “Touch me. Like you mean it.”
His fingers dug in. A familiar, possessive grip. Good. She turned her head, finding Liam’s intrigued gaze. “You, too.”
Liam’s smirk was back. “Bossy little thing, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea.” Eden shifted, her dress riding higher. “Get over here. Now.”
He didn’t move. Eden rolled her eyes.
“Fine. Guess I’ll come to you.”
She slid off Benson’s lap, landing on her knees between them. The soft rug pressed against her skin. She may have been in the submissive position, but she was the one in charge. This is my show tonight. As long as they went along with it, she’d be the happiest woman in town come the morrow.
Her hands landed on their thighs. One on each. A slow, deliberate squeeze greeted them.
“This,” she said, her gaze flicking between them, “is happening. Right here. Right now.” She leaned forward, addressing Benson. “You’re going to watch him touch me.” She then turned to Liam. “And you're going to watch him fuck me.”
They were stunned into silence.
Eden straightened up, a challenge in her eyes.
“No history. No baggage. No stupid little games.” Her fingers tightened on their thighs.
“Just this. Us. Physicality and eroticism, gentlemen.” Her hands began to move.
A torturous journey upward. tracing the hard lines of their muscles through their pants.
She felt their twin reactions and intakes of breath.
She leaned in, her lips hovering just inches from Liam’s.
“Kiss me,” she commanded with a husky whisper. “While he watches.”
And for the first time that night, something other than tension existed between these two men who had been all over her for over a month.
Desire. She felt it, too. It had been building within her for so long that she thought she might finally burst. Good thing I’ve got plenty of energy for both.
Especially when she raised herself over Liam, who looked her right in the eyes and saw her for what she was.
Come and claim your prize, sir.
Liam curled his hands around the back of her head and brought her lips down to his, tasting not only her but the remnants of Benson’s kiss on her.
Eden’s tongue dove into his mouth and pushed him down deeper into his side of the couch – all while her ass raised into the air, right next to Benson’s head.
Come on. She sent those vibes from her head as she felt up Liam’s chest and kissed him like she meant it. Get in on this. It’s your favorite thing. Including with this guy, apparently.